[media-credit name=’JEFF SCHORFHEIDE/Herald photo’ align=’alignnone’ width=’648′][/media-credit]As a response to a lecture by author David Horowitz, the University of Wisconsin Muslim Students Association discussed Tuesday misconceptions of Muslims in America. Horowitz, a controversial speaker known for what some say are radical conservative viewpoints, spoke at UW Monday, criticizing Muslim extremism in the Middle East and expressing his support for the Iraq war. According to MSA representatives, Tuesday’s forum was held to inform students about the “other side” of Horowitz’s message. “MSA is trying to represent the average college student on college campuses through events like tonight,” MSA Vice President Sarrah Abulughod said. “We want to explain what it is like to be a minority and face struggles.” Other organizations sponsoring the event included Lutheran Campus Center, College Democrats, Americans for Informed Democracy, Hillel, Wisconsin Black Student Union, and Faith and Public Life. Many of the students at the forum attended Horowitz’s lecture, which kicked off national Islamo-Fascism Awareness Week at the Union Theater Monday evening. UW sophomore Meaghan Dolan said the conservative author’s speech “could have been better.” “Horowitz shouldn’t have blatantly attacked the left wing,” Dolan said. Also commenting on Horowitz’s lecture, Adam Sitte, spokesperson for MSA, said UW has no need for a figure like Horowitz to motivate discourse on campus. “The discussion is already there; we don’t need anyone there to spark conversation,” Sitte said. College Republicans Chair Sara Mikolajczak said the week’s events should be about discourse, adding, “[the MSA] forum is their contribution, and that is great.” College Republicans Vice Chair Mattie Duppler agreed with Mikolajczak’s sentiments. “They disagree with what Horowitz said, and I think it’s great that they are sharing their view on the issue,” Duppler said. Dr. Chuck Cohen, UW professor of history and religious studies, believes Muslims’ struggles with public opinion are strongly rooted in political issues. “I don’t think you get a lot of criticism of the five pillars of Islam,” Cohen said. “To that extent, the reason that most Americans are concerned about Muslims is not because of religion, but politics.” UW African languages and cultures graduate student Reem Hilal discussed what it means to be female and a follower of Islam in America, saying Muslim women “continue to be a central sight for criticism.” Maha Hilal, also a graduate student and chair of the group In Your Hands, said discussion is “imperative to help shape social activism.” “There is always an underlying assumption that Muslim women are silent, and you get the feeling that they are forced into being Muslim,” Hilal said. MSA plans to continue an open dialogue regarding the Muslim experience in society, Sharif said. “We don’t want to do anything aggressive towards anyone, we just want to refute the myth of the stereotypes facing Muslims,” Sharif said. MSA will host a video presentation portraying the story of a Muslim boy living in New York after Sept. 11. The movie, titled “A Son’s Sacrifice,” will begin at 7 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 24 in Smith Hall.